256 
THE ELEPHANT. 
general), but from behind, from which circumstance 
they are not shed. Even the milk-grinders, which 
are four in number (one grinder in each side of 
either jaw), are completed soon after birth, and are 
said to cut in about eight or ten days. 
Only one other animal, the wild hog of Guinea 
(Sus jSijthiojoicus ), is believed to possess this pecu¬ 
liar advantage; and, as the completion of a case of 
grinders requires a great number of years, it may 
be inferred that it is an animal of great lon¬ 
gevity. The structure of the tusks, moreover, of 
this species of wild boar resembles that of the 
elephant. 
When about five or six months old, the milk- 
tusks (which are never large) of the young 
elephant cut the gum. Between its first and second 
year these are again shed, and, soon afterwards, 
the permanent ones make their appearance. Like 
the palm amongst trees, and the horns of certain 
animals, the tusks of the elephant receive their in¬ 
crease internally from a kind of core or pulp, in the 
shape of circular layers of ivory. If the period ne¬ 
cessary for the completion of one of these laminse 
could be ascertained, a tolerably fair guess as to 
the age of the animal might be formed. 
The usual pace of the elephant, when undis¬ 
turbed, is a bold, free, sweeping walk. From the 
spongy formation of his foot, his tread is exceedingly 
light and quite inaudible; all his movements are 
attended with a peculiar gentleness and grace; his 
whole appearance, when roaming in his native wilds, 
is exceedingly grave and imposing. 
